Charismatic, colourful, and contemplative, Edgar Plans’ works are uninhibited explorations of the connections between human beings and the environments that surround them. Preferring not to shy away from issues such as pollution, violence, and war, the artist draws influence from genres such as street art and graffiti to raise awareness, infusing his oeuvre with whispers of hope.
'I've always liked street art. Urban art. It is an art that I see very free, just like when children create. And I have wanted to transform it to translate into my paintings.'
— Edgar Plans
Edgar Plans’ lifelong inclination towards the freedom and expressiveness of urban art shines through in his early works – the graffiti-like execution of the present lot, Miedo A Ser Tú (Fear of Being Yourself), emanates a sense of childlike wonder and curiosity. In the absence of the artist’s signature iconography of cartoon animals, the present lot grants viewers insight into the early utterings of his robust artistic language.
Plans is influenced by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and Takashi Murakami. Rich with narrative, the present lot is particularly reminiscent of Basquiat’s practice – the impasto background, skeletal faces, scattered lettering, and textural variation are all referential features exemplifying the artist’s stylistic experimentation in his early career. Much like Basquiat’s symbol-laden works, Plans’ Miedo A Ser Tú (Fear of Being Yourself) delves beyond the superficial, painting a vibrant scene of uncertainty, inner conflict, and self-compassion.
Edgar Plans is currently based in the northern Spanish town of Gijón. Represented by Villazan, the artist is known as one of the most popular Spanish contemporary artists. Some of his latest solo exhibitions include I am a dreamer at Villazan, New York (29 February – 30 March 2024) and Heart of Fearlessness at Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong (25 March – 10 May 2024).